Welcome to your ultimate guide for creating an unforgettable Easter feast! As spring blossoms and family gathers, the holiday table becomes the heart of the celebration. Whether you’re hosting a grand dinner, contributing to a festive potluck, or simply looking for fresh inspiration to make your Easter meal truly special, you’ve arrived at the perfect destination. This comprehensive collection features over 50 tried-and-true Easter recipes designed to delight every palate and elevate your holiday dining experience. From savory main courses and delectable side dishes to refreshing drinks and irresistible desserts, we have all the culinary ideas you need to craft a memorable spread that celebrates the spirit of the season.
The Best Easter Recipes for a Festive Celebration
Easter is a cherished time of year, eagerly anticipated for its joyful spirit and, of course, the wonderful food. Our family traditions often revolve around a magnificent Glazed Ham as the center of our Easter dinner, complemented by beloved classics like my favorite Southern Pineapple Casserole and freshly baked Homemade Dinner Rolls. Today, we’re thrilled to share more than 50 of the absolute best recipes to enhance your Easter celebrations. Each recipe in this curated list is a guaranteed winner, promising to add a touch of culinary excellence and heartwarming flavor to your holiday meal. Prepare to impress your guests with dishes that are both delicious and easy to prepare, ensuring a stress-free and joyous occasion for everyone.
Crafting Your Complete Easter Menu: Drinks, Appetizers, Side Dishes, and Dinner Entrees
Planning the perfect Easter menu means catering to every part of the meal, from the first sip to the last delightful bite of dessert. This collection offers something truly special for everyone at your table. Explore a wide array of options, including irresistible cheeseballs, succulent hams, freshly baked breads, and an abundance of flavorful side dishes. And we certainly can’t overlook the importance of dessert! For many, myself included, Easter simply wouldn’t be complete without a generous serving of my renowned Deviled Eggs – a beloved tradition that guarantees smiles and satisfaction. Should you find yourself with any delicious leftover ham after the festivities, be sure to consult our dedicated post for Creative Leftover Ham Recipes to transform it into another wonderful meal.
Each recipe listed below is linked directly to its full details, offering step-by-step photos and convenient printable recipe cards to guide you through the cooking process. Many recipes also include helpful video tutorials, ensuring that every dish you prepare turns out absolutely perfect. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that promises a feast for the senses and cherished memories for your loved ones.
Presbyterian Punch (Sherbet Punch)
This Presbyterian Punch is your ultimate party drink, a guaranteed hit at any gathering. Made with a delightful combination of creamy sherbet, fizzy lemon-lime soda, bright orange juice, sweet pineapple juice, and tangy frozen limeade, it’s incredibly refreshing and bursting with flavor. Perfect for Easter brunch or a vibrant spring celebration, this punch is easy to mix and loved by all ages.
Sparkling Strawberry Punch (+Video)
Elevate your Easter drink menu with this Easy Sparkling Strawberry Punch. This delightful non-alcoholic punch bursts with fresh strawberry flavor and a playful sparkle, making it ideal for family gatherings. For the adults, a splash of rum can easily transform it into a sophisticated “adult” beverage. Its vibrant color and sweet taste make it a festive addition to any holiday table.
Strawberry Sweet Tea
This Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea is a quintessential summertime drink, but its refreshing flavors make it perfect for a spring Easter gathering too. Crafted with freshly brewed tea, juicy fresh strawberries, and just the right touch of sweetness, it’s a delightful beverage that captures the essence of homemade comfort. Serve it chilled for a truly invigorating experience.
Empty Tomb Rolls (Resurrection Rolls)
These Empty Tomb Rolls, also known as Resurrection Rolls, offer a sweet and symbolic treat for your Easter brunch or dessert. Each roll features a delightful cinnamon sugar flavor, with a surprising marshmallow center that magically disappears during baking, leaving an “empty tomb” inside. It’s a fun and meaningful dessert that children and adults alike will enjoy.
Deviled Eggs
A true classic, these Deviled Eggs are an absolute must-serve appetizer for any holiday gathering or cookout, especially Easter. This recipe ensures perfectly creamy, flavorful deviled eggs every time. Plus, we’ve included essential tips on how to master the art of making the ideal hardboiled egg, guaranteeing a smooth and delicious filling for your crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Easter Carrot Cheeseball
This adorable Easter Carrot Cheeseball is as simple to make as it is delicious to eat. Shaped like a festive carrot, this savory appetizer is packed with creamy cheese and savory flavors, making it a perfect centerpiece for your Easter spread. It’s an ideal choice for all your holiday festivities, guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Bunny Butt Funfetti Dip
Create a truly sweet and enchanting treat with this simple and adorable Bunny Butt Funfetti Dip recipe. This dessert dip is perfect for Easter, featuring colorful sprinkles and a charming bunny design that will capture everyone’s attention. It’s an easy-to-make, no-bake option that adds a touch of whimsy and deliciousness to your holiday dessert table.
Hot Cross Buns (with chocolate chips)
These Easter Hot Cross Buns offer a delightful twist on the traditional recipe, making them even more irresistible. The addition of mini chocolate chips introduces a touch of extra sweetness to each bite, perfectly complementing the classic spiced dough. These soft, fluffy buns are a wonderful addition to your Easter breakfast or brunch, providing a comforting and delicious treat.
Pineapple Cheeseball (+Video)
This Pineapple Cheeseball is consistently a crowd-pleaser and the star of any party. It combines the refreshing sweetness of crushed pineapple with the creamy tang of cream cheese, balanced by crisp green pepper, delicate shallots, and crunchy chopped pecans. This unique blend of flavors and textures makes it an irresistible appetizer for your Easter gathering, pairing perfectly with crackers or fresh vegetables.
Cheddar Bacon Celery Sticks (+Video)
These Cheddar Bacon Celery Sticks offer a fun, easy, and undeniably delicious snack or appetizer suitable for all ages. They whip up in no time, making them a convenient choice for holiday prep. The savory combination of cheddar, crispy bacon, and refreshing celery creates an irresistible bite that will quickly disappear from your Easter appetizer spread.
Pineapple Fluff (+Video)
This Pineapple Fluff recipe presents a delightful no-bake dessert that is both light and refreshingly sweet. It’s a simple yet elegant combination of creamy Cool Whip, juicy pineapple, soft marshmallows, instant pudding, crunchy pecans, and shredded coconut. Perfect for a spring holiday like Easter, this fluff offers a satisfyingly cool and tropical end to your meal without any oven time.
The Best Fruit Salad
This Fruit Salad truly tastes like a burst of summer, making it an excellent, refreshing addition to your Easter menu. Featuring a vibrant variety of juicy, fresh fruits tossed in an amazing honey-lime dressing, it’s designed to be the star side dish. This bright and healthy option provides a perfect balance to richer holiday fare and is always a crowd-pleaser.
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Cooked to absolute perfection, this Brown Sugar Glazed Ham is incredibly flavorful and a quintessential Easter centerpiece. Each slice is tender and juicy, generously brushed with a thick, sweet, and savory glaze that caramelizes beautifully. This foolproof recipe consistently delivers a show-stopping ham that’s both easy to prepare and profoundly delicious, making your holiday meal unforgettable.
Slow Cooker Ham
This Slow Cooker Boneless Ham recipe offers an incredibly easy and convenient way to prepare your holiday ham, freeing up oven space. It’s an excellent choice for Easter dinners or even simple weeknight meals, yielding a ham that is exceptionally tender and infused with flavor. The accompanying tasty glaze makes this ham over-the-top delicious, ensuring a succulent and memorable main course.
Apple Cider Glazed Ham
Indulge in the delightfully spiced, sweet, and incredibly tasty Apple Cider Glazed Ham. This recipe transforms a simple ham into an amazing holiday centerpiece with minimal effort. The rich apple cider glaze infuses the ham with deep flavors and a beautiful sheen, making it a super easy yet elegant main dish for your Easter celebration. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional glazes.
Instant Pot Ham
Discover the ease and deliciousness of Instant Pot Bone-In Ham, an incredibly moist and flavorful recipe that simplifies holiday cooking. With just a few ingredients—ham, brown sugar, tangy pineapple juice, and aromatic ground cloves—you can achieve a perfectly cooked ham in a fraction of the time. This pressure cooker method guarantees a tender and juicy result, ideal for your Easter feast.
Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto
For an elegantly delicious yet surprisingly easy dinner, these Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto are an exquisite choice. They boast an impressive presentation and an amazing flavor profile, making them a fabulous main course not just for Easter but any time of year. The fresh mint pesto perfectly complements the rich lamb, creating a sophisticated and satisfying dish that’s simpler to prepare than you might think.
Butter Dip Biscuits (+Video)
Also known as Butter Swim Biscuits, these Butter Dip Buttermilk Biscuits are quite possibly the easiest homemade biscuits you’ll ever make. No need for a biscuit cutter – just simple ingredients and a quick preparation. The result is consistently thick, fluffy, and incredibly buttery biscuits that make a perfect accompaniment to any Easter meal, from breakfast to dinner.
Cornbread Muffins
These homemade Cornbread Muffins are wonderfully tender and possess just the right amount of sweetness. Best of all, they can be ready in under 30 minutes, making them an ideal last-minute addition to your Easter spread. Serve them warm with butter or alongside savory dishes for a comforting and satisfying bread option that complements any holiday meal.
2-Ingredient Cream Biscuits (+Video)
Prepare to be amazed by these 2-Ingredient Cream Biscuits – the easiest and fluffiest homemade biscuits imaginable! Requiring only self-rising flour and heavy cream, then finished with melted butter on top, they are unbelievably simple to make. These tender, golden biscuits are a fantastic, quick bread option for your Easter brunch or dinner, offering homemade taste with minimal effort.
Homemade Dinner Rolls (+Video)
These Homemade Dinner Rolls are the epitome of comfort food, known for being incredibly light, wonderfully fluffy, and perfectly buttery. This classic bread recipe serves as a delicious accompaniment to any meal, making them an especially welcome addition to your Easter dinner table. Their soft texture and rich flavor will have everyone reaching for seconds, complementing your main dishes beautifully.
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad (+Video)
This vibrant Broccoli Cauliflower Salad is a wholesome and flavorful side dish, bursting with fresh veggies like broccoli and cauliflower florets. It’s enhanced with savory bacon, crisp onions, crunchy sunflower seeds, and other delicious ingredients, all tossed in an easy, creamy homemade dressing. This colorful and hearty salad is an excellent addition to your Easter menu, offering a refreshing contrast.
Pea Salad (+Video)
Crafted with just a few pantry staple ingredients, this flavorful Pea Salad with Ham is an incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make dish. It’s the perfect side to bring to an Easter potluck or to complete your festive holiday meal. The sweet peas, savory ham, and creamy dressing create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making it a beloved classic.
Marinated Green Bean Salad
This Marinated Green Bean Salad is a vibrant and zesty side dish, perfect for complementing your Easter spread. It features fresh, crisp green beans combined with other garden-fresh ingredients, all coated in a delicious homemade dressing. This refreshing salad is an ideal complement to any springtime or summertime meal, offering a light and tangy counterpoint to richer dishes.
Slow Cooker Green Beans
Simplify your holiday cooking with these Slow Cooker Green Beans, which yield tender, juicy, and incredibly flavorful green beans with minimal effort. Cooking them in the slow cooker frees up valuable stove-top space, making them an ideal side dish for a busy Easter. These savory beans, infused with delicious seasonings, are sure to be a family favorite.
Crock Pot Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes (+Video)
These homemade Crock Pot Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes are a luxurious addition to any holiday meal, coming out exceptionally creamy, fluffy, and utterly delicious. Made with Russet potatoes, rich butter, and tangy cream cheese, they are cooked slowly to perfection. This hands-off method is perfect for freeing up stovetop space during your Easter meal prep, delivering a truly indulgent side dish.
Squash Casserole (+Video)
This Southern Squash Casserole is a comforting and classic side dish, featuring tender yellow squash baked in a creamy, cheesy, and buttery sauce. Simple to make, it offers a wonderful texture and rich flavor that perfectly complements any holiday meal. It’s an easy yet impressive addition to your Easter table, providing a taste of true Southern hospitality.
Southern Fried Okra
A delicious Southern staple, this Fried Okra recipe is a classic that comes together in less than 20 minutes, making it a quick and easy addition to your Easter menu. Crispy on the outside and tender within, it’s the perfect side dish to any Southern-inspired meal. Its savory crunch makes it an irresistible complement to your holiday spread.
Funeral Potatoes (+Video)
Funeral Potatoes are the epitome of comfort food, offering creamy, cheesy potatoes beneath a wonderfully crunchy, buttery topping. This indulgent dish is loved by everyone and makes an excellent, hearty side for your Easter dinner. It’s simple to assemble and can even be prepared ahead of time, ensuring a stress-free and satisfying holiday meal.
Collard Greens with Ham Bone
This Collard Greens with Ham Bone recipe is a quintessential Southern side dish that is incredibly simple to prepare, making it a flavorful addition to your Easter feast. It works wonderfully with leftover ham bone, imbuing the greens with a rich, smoky depth. This hearty and soulful dish is a comforting classic that will impress your guests and round out your holiday meal.
The Best Scalloped Potatoes
This recipe for The Best Scalloped Potatoes truly lives up to its name, offering an exceptionally decadent and flavorful side dish. Thinly sliced golden potatoes are baked in a rich, creamy garlic smoked gouda cheese sauce, creating a deeply satisfying and comforting experience. This indulgent potato dish is a perfect, crowd-pleasing addition to your elegant Easter dinner.
The Best Potato Salad (+Video)
This Potato Salad recipe is so incredibly delicious, everyone will be begging you for the secret! It’s creamy, bursting with flavor, and remarkably easy to prepare. This classic side dish is a guaranteed hit at any gathering, from a casual barbecue to a formal Easter dinner. Its satisfying texture and savory taste make it an indispensable part of your holiday spread.
No-Boil Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Prepare the easiest and creamiest homemade macaroni and cheese ever with this revolutionary No-Boil recipe! This method eliminates the need to boil the noodles separately, streamlining the cooking process significantly. The result is a wonderfully cheesy, comforting, and deeply satisfying dish that will be a standout side at your Easter celebration, perfect for those busy holiday preparations.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese (+Video)
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a wonderfully creamy, incredibly cheesy, and effortlessly easy macaroni and cheese recipe that is always a resounding success. Preparing it in the slow cooker makes it ideal for holidays like Easter, as it requires minimal supervision, leaving you free to focus on other dishes. This comforting classic is sure to be a cherished favorite at your family meal.
Southern Pineapple Casserole (+Video)
Southern Pineapple Casserole is a truly unique and classic Southern side dish that promises a delightful surprise for your taste buds. While the combination of sweet pineapple, savory crackers, and rich cheese might sound unconventional, the flavors blend together astonishingly well, creating an amazing and irresistible dish. It’s a must-try for your Easter menu, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Maple Glazed Carrots (+Video)
These Maple Glazed Carrots are a fantastic, simple side dish that comes together quickly with just four ingredients. Butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup combine to create the most amazing, sweet, and glossy glaze that perfectly coats tender carrots. This easy recipe adds a touch of gourmet sweetness to your Easter dinner, making it a delicious and colorful vegetable option.
Carrot Salad (+Video)
This classic Carrot Salad recipe is reminiscent of the beloved version from Chick-fil-A, bringing a sweet and tangy freshness to your Easter table. It features finely grated fresh carrots, plump raisins, sweet pineapple tidbits, and a creamy, zesty dressing that ties all the flavors together. This refreshing salad is a wonderful, colorful addition that brightens any holiday meal.
Honey Glazed Carrots
These Honey Glazed Carrots are a fantastic side dish that comes together in under 20 minutes, making them an ideal choice for busy Easter preparations. The natural sweetness of carrots is beautifully enhanced by a glossy honey glaze, creating a simple yet elegant vegetable dish. They are flavorful, vibrant, and a wonderful complement to any holiday entree.
The Best Banana Pudding (+Video)
This Banana Pudding truly lives up to its name as the best, offering a delightful no-cook dessert that is rich and incredibly satisfying. It’s made with a creamy blend of sweetened condensed milk, tangy cream cheese, and smooth pudding, layered with fresh, ripe bananas and crisp Nilla wafers. This classic Southern dessert is perfect for Easter, requiring no baking and delivering maximum comfort.
Carrot Cake Loaf
This Carrot Cake Loaf is an exceptionally easy and incredibly tasty recipe, made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Bursting with the warm flavors of traditional spices and elegantly crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect sweet treat to bake up anytime, especially for your Easter brunch or dessert table. Its moist texture and rich taste make it a delightful indulgence.
Easter Banana Pudding Cups
These Easter Banana Pudding Cups are a delightful no-bake dessert, perfect for individual servings at your holiday gathering. Each cup is beautifully layered with creamy pudding, crunchy cookies, and light whipped cream, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. These charming desserts are not only yummy but also incredibly easy to assemble, adding a festive touch to your Easter dessert bar.
Carrot Cake Cookies
These Carrot Cake Cookies are the quintessential treat for the Easter holiday, offering all the beloved flavors of carrot cake in a convenient cookie form. With a wonderfully chewy, thick texture, topped with creamy frosting, and often enhanced with crunchy nuts, they are absolutely divine. These festive cookies are a delightful way to enjoy a holiday classic and share sweet joy.
Carrot Bundt Cake
This Carrot Bundt Cake is an easy, moist, and utterly delicious cake, perfect for any special occasion, especially Easter. It boasts a rich and flavorful blend of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and is generously topped with a decadent cream cheese frosting. Its elegant bundt shape makes for a beautiful presentation, ensuring it’s a show-stopping dessert that’s simple to achieve.
Carrot Poke Cake (+Video)
This delightful Carrot Poke Cake begins with a convenient boxed carrot cake mix, making it incredibly easy to prepare. The baked cake is then poked and infused with a creamy cheesecake pudding, generously topped with fluffy whipped cream, and finished with a sprinkle of graham crackers for added texture. It’s a fun, flavorful, and moist dessert that is perfect for your Easter celebration.
Southern Ambrosia Salad (+Video)
Southern Ambrosia Salad is an absolute must-have at any holiday gathering, bringing a burst of color and sweetness to your table. This vibrant fruit salad combines fluffy whipped topping, juicy pineapple, crisp grapes, bright mandarin oranges, festive maraschino cherries, and sweetened coconut flakes. It’s a delightful, refreshing dessert or side dish that embodies classic Southern charm and is perfect for Easter.
Coconut Cream Poke Cake (+Video)
This luscious Coconut Cream Poke Cake starts with a simple boxed cake mix, making it incredibly easy to create a show-stopping dessert. The baked cake is then soaked in a creamy and sweet cream of coconut filling, and generously topped with a light and airy coconut topping. This tropical-inspired cake is perfect for Easter, offering a moist, rich, and delightful finish to your holiday meal.
Homemade Easter Egg Brownies
These Homemade Easter Egg Brownies are a festive and utterly delicious treat, studded throughout and topped with colorful mini Cadbury eggs. This rich, homemade brownie recipe guarantees a chewy, chocolatey delight that everyone will adore. They’re perfect for adding a touch of holiday whimsy and serious flavor to your Easter dessert platter, making them a fun and appealing choice.
Easter Egg Cupcakes
If you’re seeking a cute, easy, and engaging Easter project to enjoy with the kids, these Easter Egg Cupcakes are the perfect choice! They are not only tasty and beautiful but also seriously fun to decorate. Each cupcake becomes a miniature work of art, offering a delightful and personalized treat that adds a playful and festive touch to your holiday celebration.
Easter Bunny Poke Cake
This Easter Bunny Poke Cake is a celebration in itself, featuring a cake poked with vibrant Jell-O, then crowned with a playful whipped “grass” frosting, and adorned with adorable bunny Peeps and colorful Cadbury eggs. It’s a fun, flavorful, and incredibly festive Easter cake that promises to be a memorable centerpiece for your holiday dessert table, delighting guests of all ages.
Cadbury Mini Egg Cheesecake
This Cadbury Mini Egg Cheesecake is the ultimate Easter dessert, featuring a perfectly homemade crust supporting a luscious, creamy cheesecake filling. It’s elegantly finished with a rich chocolate topping generously scattered with festive mini Cadbury eggs. This show-stopping cheesecake offers a delightful crunch and a burst of chocolatey goodness in every bite, making it an irresistible highlight of your holiday meal.
Easter Surprise Cookies
These Easter Surprise Cookies are wonderfully colorful, easy to make, and incredibly fun, making them a perfect special holiday treat. Each cookie is playfully shaped like an egg, revealing vibrant layers of color within. These tasty, bright cookies are sure to bring smiles and a festive spirit to your Easter dessert table, delightful for both preparation and enjoyment.
Swirled Easter Cake with Buttercream Frosting
This Swirled Easter Cake is a festive and colorful delight, beginning with a doctored-up cake mix for ease, then crowned with a homemade buttercream frosting that is pure perfection. The vibrant swirls within the cake and the creamy frosting make it a beautiful and incredibly tasty dessert. It’s an ideal showstopper for your Easter celebration, sure to impress with its joyful appearance and delicious flavor.
Easter Egg Oreo Truffles
Add a tasty twist to a classic treat with these Easter Egg Oreo Truffles. This fun, easy, and colorful recipe creates delightful truffles shaped like Easter eggs, making them perfect for your holiday gatherings. The rich Oreo and cream cheese center, coated in vibrant candy melts, provides an irresistible bite that’s both festive and incredibly delicious, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Easter Bunny Rice Krispies Treats
These Easter Bunny Rice Krispies Treats are not only deliciously sweet but also absolutely adorable, making them a perfect festive holiday snack. Shaped like charming bunnies and often decorated with colorful elements like mini Cadbury eggs, they are ideal as homemade treats for Easter baskets or your dessert table. Easy to make and universally loved, they bring a whimsical touch to your celebration.
Easter Blondies
These fun Easter Blondies are a fantastic holiday treat that can be ready in under an hour, making them ideal for quick festive baking. Adorned with pretty pastel-colored M&M’s, these chewy, buttery bars are not only adorable but also incredibly delicious. They offer a simple yet vibrant dessert option that is perfect for celebrating Easter with a burst of color and sweetness.
No Bake Coconut Cream Pie
If you’re searching for a luscious, creamy, and universally loved pie, this No Bake Coconut Cream Pie is an absolute winner. Requiring only 10 minutes of prep time, it’s an incredibly easy dessert that delivers maximum flavor and indulgence. Its rich coconut filling and airy topping make it a perfect, refreshing finale to your Easter meal, especially if you want to avoid oven baking.
Old Fashioned Bread Pudding (+Video)
This Old Fashioned Bread Pudding is a timeless classic recipe that is both simple to prepare and deeply satisfying. Chunks of French bread are generously coated in a deliciously spiced custard, then baked to golden perfection. It’s a versatile dish, perfect as a comforting dessert, a rich breakfast, or an indulgent brunch item for your Easter spread, offering nostalgic flavors.
Crock Pot Coconut Rice Pudding (+Video)
Indulge in this Crock Pot Coconut Rice Pudding, a rich and creamy dessert that promises warmth and comfort. It’s lovingly made with a blend of milk, tender rice, a hint of cinnamon, luscious cream of coconut, and a touch of vanilla. Preparing it in the slow cooker makes it an easy, hands-off option for a sweet ending to your Easter celebration, filling your home with a delightful aroma.
Frozen Fruit Salad (+Video)
Enjoy the sweet and creamy taste of this classic Frozen Fruit Salad, a delightful no-bake dessert that comes together with only a handful of ingredients in just 15 minutes! It’s the perfect refreshing treat for a spring Easter celebration or a warm summer day. This easy-to-make dessert offers a cool, fruity, and satisfying end to any meal, requiring minimal effort for maximum enjoyment.